Phaneuf Funeral Home

Ruth Carol Ballard (Ramaska), 85, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, surrounded by her loving family in her final hours. She was a beautiful person who lived a beautiful, full life. Born on April 16, 1940, in Windsor, Vermont, to Mary (Mocek) Ramaska and Peter J. Ramaska. She was the eldest daughter and often spoke fondly of her parents and her brothers. In her early years, her family lived in Hartland, Vermont, before settling back in Manchester, NH, where she has been a lifelong resident. A graduate of St. Joseph's Junior-Senior High School for Girls, class of 1959, she proudly held the office of Senior Class Vice President. Here, Ruth made many lifelong friendships that...

Col. Milton R. Kirste, 92, of Nashua, NH passed peacefully on January 9, 2026, in his home surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren after a full and admirable life. He was born in Manchester, NH on June 27, 1933 to Arthur C. and Allegra Carey Kirste and grew at 123 Jewett Street in Manchester. Milton was a proud attendee of the city's schools, working with his father at Arthur's General Store on Spruce Street, and as a carrier for the Union Leader. Milton graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1955, having been an active member of the track and field team, the SAE fraternity, and as a ROTC cadet. Post-graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant...

Doris M. (Proulx) Chalifour, 91, of Manchester, passed away at St. Teresa Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on January 5, 2026, with her loving family by her side. Doris was born in Manchester on January 19, 1934, to Sinai and Cecile (Deslauriers) Proulx. A woman of deep faith and quiet generosity, Doris was a longtime parishioner of St. Anthony Church, where she devoted countless hours volunteering and found community through the Ladies of St. Anne, the CWV Women's Auxiliary and her love of weekly Bingo. Doris had a special way of caring for others, especially during times of loss. Her homemade pea soup, lovingly prepared for bereavement gatherings, became well-known and deeply...

Robert Andre "Bob" Labonte, 81, of Manchester, passed away suddenly on January 4, 2026 at Elliot Hospital. Born in Manchester on May 26, 1944, he was the son of the late Robert L. and Lucienne (Roy) Labonte. Bob was born in Manchester and raised in Chester, New Hampshire. He lived in Massachusetts several years in his early adult life and many years in Portsmouth before returning to Manchester more than 30 years ago. A true jack of all trades, he worked in many fields over the years, including factory work in his younger days, and later as a barber and custodian. His greatest passion was collecting antiques; he operated an antique booth and sold at flea markets throughout New England. He...

Linda June Cannata (Ayer), 76, of Goffstown, NH, passed away peacefully at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care in Lebanon, NH on December 31, 2025. Born on August 23, 1949 in Manchester, NH, Linda was the eldest of three children to Richard and Lillian Ayer (Orlop). Linda grew up in Hooksett, NH, and graduated from Manchester Central High School, Class of 1967. Linda graduated from Hesser College with an Associates degree in Business Administration, and worked for over 10 years at the Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH). Linda was a devoted homemaker, mother and grandmother. She dedicated most of her years to maintaining a sustainable homestead in Deerfield,...

Roland W. "Tank" Blanchette, 82, of Manchester, passed away at Concord Hospital on December 30, 2025. He was born in Manchester on July 15, 1943, the son of William and Marie (Boucher) Blanchette. Tank had worked as a supervisor for International Paper, retiring after 37 years of service. After that, he worked as a custodian for the Londonerry School system for 15 years up until last year. He was an avid bowler, hunter, and was passionate about cars and going to car shows. He was a parishioner of St. Peter's Church. Tank was predeceased by his wife, Annette (Champagne) Blanchette in 2023. Family members include his son, Matthew Blanchette and his wife Rita of Hampstead; three...

Robert (Bob, Pops) Joseph LeClaire, was born on May 15, 1952 in Marlborough MA, was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who passed away after an 8-year battle to cancer in his home, surrounded by loving family as his wish on December 26th, 2025. Robert was the beloved son of Ruth Roy (deceased). For a long time, he enjoyed Mini Stock Racing at Monadnock Speedway and Claremont Speedway, as well as spending his time outside; lawn-mowing, hosting BBQ's with his wife, going to his grandsons dirt bike races, plowing, shooting B.B. guns with one of his grandsons, spending time with his friends and family, teaching one of his granddaughters how to change the oil in her car, cracking jokes,...

Angelina Braga Almeida, 77, of Manchester, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025, with her loved ones at her side, following a lengthy illness. Born in Capelas, Sao Miguel, Acores, Portugal, she is the daughter of the late Jose and Ermelinda Braga. Raised and educated in Sao Miguel, Angelina met and married the love of her life, the late John De Almeida. The young couple relocated to the United States in 1970, where they later welcomed their three beautiful children. A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, Angelina's family was paramount in her life. She cherished time spent with her family and loved attending her grandchildren's sporting events. Well...

Jeffrey Milender, 68, of Concord, NH, unexpectedly passed away on December 22, 2025, while vacationing with his family in Aruba. Jeffrey was the son of Melvin and Cynthia Anne (Westcott) Milender. He was raised in West Peabody, MA, and spent summers at his family's home on Newfound Lake in Bristol, NH, where he fell in love with Newfound, boating, water skiing, and all things outdoors. He made and maintained many lifetime "lake friends" over the years. Jeff graduated from St. John's Prep. in Danvers, MA, attended the University of Maine-Orono, and received his BA from Franklin Pierce College, Rindge, NH. Jeff worked in auto parts, the sawmill equipment industry, real estate, and for...

Jeffrey Milender, 68, of Concord, New Hampshire unexpectedly passed away on December 22, 2025, while vacationing with his family in Aruba. Jeffrey was the son of Melvin and Cynthia Anne (Westcott) Milender. He was raised in West Peabody, Massachusetts and spent summers at his family's home on Newfound Lake in Bristol, New Hampshire where he fell in love with Newfound, boating, water skiing, and all things outdoors. He made and maintained many lifetime "lake friends" over the years. Jeff graduated from St. John's Prep. in Danvers, Massachusetts, attended the University of Maine-Orono, and received his BA from Franklin Pierce College, Rindge, New Hampshire. Jeff worked in auto parts, the...

Maria (Tsigaras) Damalas, 98, of Manchester, peacefully passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack. Maria was born in Elassona, Greece, on February 27, 1927, the daughter of the late Thomas and Eleni (Argeriou) Tsigaras. She came to this country in her early 20's after living through World War II. She worked for her aunt and uncle at G&M Bakery and later at the Pandora Mills until her retirement. She shared her skills by teaching fellow employees the art of sweater making. Maria was a devoted member of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral and volunteered for many years at the annual Glendi Festival. She will be lovingly remembered for her Greek...

Elizabeth Emerson Clark "Beth", 71, of Contoocook, NH, died surrounded by family after a brief illness on December 19, 2025. She was born in Portsmouth, NH in 1954 to Joyce and Wallace Emerson, and grew up in Hooksett, NH with her three older sisters. Beth attended Pembroke Academy before studying business at the University of NH. She went on to work for the State of NH and later Pat's Peak Ski Area. In her retirement, Beth volunteered for Destination Imagination where she met many lifelong friends from all over the country. What Beth loved most was spending time with her granddaughters. Beth was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Clark and sisters, Peg Covatis and Elieen Douilette. She...

Francis "Frank" Carey, 84, of Manchester, passed away on December 18, 2025, at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack with his family by his side. He was born in Tallaghandeff, Ireland on April 12, 1941, the son of the late James and Sarah (Gaughan) Carey. He was a United States Army Veteran and while he was from Ireland, he was a proud American. He retired from Comcast as a engineer and supervisor after 33 years of service. Frank loved fishing, camping, telling jokes, drinking his whiskey and water around the campfire at their camp. But most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Diane (Paris) Carey; a son, Jack Carey of...

Pauline R. Carreau, 84 passed away at Elliot Hospital on December 17, 2025, after a brief sickness. She was born in Manchester, NH, the daughter of the late Laurier and Beatrice (Montplaisir) Lavalle. She was a graduate of St. Marie's high school, class of 1959. Pauline was married to the late Eugene Carreau for 54 years. She was employed at GTE, Sylvania, Osfram Sylvania in Manchester, NH for more than 30 years. After her retirement she worked for Walmart for 22 years. She was a proud grandmother to Kyle, Cole, and Erika Carreau. Pauline often stated, "If I knew grandchildren were so fun I'd of had them first." In addition to her parents and husband Pauline was predeceased by her sisters,...

Paul W. Bartlett (82) of Hudson passed away December 17, 2025 at Community Hospice in Merrimack, NH. He was born Nov. 11, 1943 to the late Donald and Regina (Gendron) Bartlett of Sanford, Maine. He graduated from St. John's Preparatory School in Danvers, MA and Georgetown University. After graduation, Paul served in the US Air Force for 20 years in the space field. Upon his discharge in 1986, Paul went to work as a DOD contractor for various companies for another 23 years. Upon retirement Paul volunteered for many years with the NH Food Bank and Community Caregivers. He was active in the Knights of Columbus at St. Mark The Evangelist Parish in Londonderry, NH. He and his wife traveled...

Normand Paul Lemay, Sr., 95, of Manchester, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2025 at Hanover Hill Health Care Center. He was born in Manchester on August 15, 1930, the son of the late Joseph and Clemence (Ducharme) Lemay. Mr. Lemay graduated high school from Manchester West and later earned his associate's degree in business from Hesser College. Early in his career, he worked as a Machine Presser in the Manchester Hosiery Mills and it was here that he met the love of his life, Adrienne Blanchard, his wife of 72 years who preceded him in passing in 2023. Mr. Lemay served his country for 39 years as a member of the New Hampshire Air National Guard's 157th Air Refueling Wing at Grenier...

Ellen M. (Cadieux) Catano, born on October 28, 1960, in Manchester, NH, passed away on December 12, 2025, after a brief illness at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH. Ellen spent most of her life in Manchester, where she was born and raised, creating countless memories that would last a lifetime. Ellen graduated from Memorial High School in Manchester, NH. Throughout her life, she was known for her caring nature and her deep love for animals, particularly oriental birds. Ellen dedicated much of her time to taking care of them and ensuring they were well-fed, showcasing her nurturing spirit. She also had a passion for photography and was well-known for her cooking, with her lasagna...

Rebecca Jean Heath, beloved sister and aunt of Manchester, NH, departed this world peacefully on December 10, 2025, at age 72. Rebecca (Becky) graduated from Manchester High School West. She went on to graduate from the Santa Monica School of Cosmetology, Santa Monica, CA and the Joe Blasco School of Makeup, Hollywood, CA. Rebecca was a successful esthetician in Beverly Hills, CA for over 40 years before relocating back to NH. It was her joy to make her clients look and feel beautiful. In her lifetime, Rebecca was defined by her devotion to her family and friends, with whom she cherished every moment, and created lasting memories. Becky was a vibrant spirit, and her life was always filled...

Gene C. Sanborn, 71, of Salisbury, NH, passed away unexpectedly at his home on December 9, 2025. Born in Franklin, NH on November 23, 1954, Gene was the only child of Eugene and Elsie (Verril) Sanborn. Gene grew up in Franklin and graduated from Merrimack Valley High School. After graduation he went on to work at a local tannery, later joining Carroll Concrete, before beginning a 37-year career with the State of New Hampshire Department of Transportation, where he served as a construction foreman. He also worked on the Old Man Of the Mountain in the years before it fell. Following his retirement from the DOT, Gene continued to enjoy meaningful work in masonry alongside his nephew, Keith...

Gene C. Sanborn, 71, of Salisbury, NH, passed away unexpectedly at his home on December 9, 2025. Born in Franklin, NH on November 23, 1954, Gene was the only child of Eugene and Elsie (Verril) Sanborn. Gene grew up in Franklin and graduated from Merrimack Valley High School. After graduation he went on to work at a local tannery, later joining Carroll Concrete, before beginning a 37-year career with the State of New Hampshire Department of Transportation, where he served as a construction foreman. He also worked on the Old Man Of the Mountain in the years before it fell. Following his retirement from the DOT, Gene continued to enjoy meaningful work in masonry alongside his nephew, Keith...

Angela Felicia Diener, 99, was called home to be with the Lord on December 7, 2025. Angela was born July 6, 1026 in New Haven, CT to Italian immigrants Matthew and Felicia (Pacileo) Covone. She was the eldest of their 3 daughters, all having predeceased her. Her father, a concert musician and professional watchmaker taught her to play the violin at age 5. From her mother, a seamstress, she learned the craft and art of making beautiful clothes for herself and her own family when the time came. She attended secretarial classes studing bookkeeping, typing and office skills. In 1950, she married Bobby L. Diener, an airman in the US Air Force and in 1951 moved with him to his duty station...